Lessons Learned in the past year of riding:
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The month of May disappeared like sand through an hour glass. In the last couple of weeks, I've been preoccupied working on the scooter, repairing and replacing some of my gear (blog post on the way) and selling/donating most of my possessions. The BMW R1150GS which I so affectionately named "Meine Frau" was sold to a good home in MD where it will be enjoyed and ridden by it's new owner. The money in my bank account alone will finance the upcoming season of travel! Last May when I embarked on this journey, I had no concept of who I'd be when I returned or what the future would hold for me. I still don't. The "traveling bug" has bit me and I've worked beyond the malaise that can arise with extended travel and lack of a grounding base. When people ask where I live, I began to point to the loaded Ruckus. My surroundings, nature and the forests are my home now. Just like some old embroidery on a nicotene-stained grandparent's wall, "Home is where the heart is". In preparation to get back on the road again, I've repacked my gear and extracted a few lbs of luxuries and unused items from the last year of travel. La Tortuga had a thorough cleaning and analysis of worn components at Rusty Rex Motorwerks. The cylinder checked out at 150psi (probably better with a more accurate gauge). A fresh oil and filter change along with inspection for any metal filings in the oil and final drive was preformed. Everything checked out as expected and I'm trusting La Tortuga to carry me on for a few thousand miles into the NE. |